Paediatrics & Child Health (Supplement)

Abstract authors: Hannah Le Bouder (both abstracts), Jenna Treissman (both abstracts), Liz Kalenteridis, Opninder Lindstrom, Melissa Paquette, Arthur Cogswell, Jenny Retallack, Kirsten Miller, Jeffrey Bone, David Wensley, Fiona Mutalib, Peter Gill, Claire Seaton

Publication date: December 2025

Two abstracts related to a READAPT-Kids study cohort (clinical chaRacteristics and outcomEs of hospitAlized chilDren with Acute resPiratory infecTions) have been published in the Paediatrics & Child Health Journal. This research was presented at the 2025 Canadian Pediatric Society Annual Conference.

The conclusion in the first study abstract was that the Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS) Child Health Advice in ReaL-Time Electronically (CHARLiE) pathway supported almost 40% of direct PICU admissions for Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) from within a single, geographically vast, rural and remote health authority region. This patient population has a significant disease burden and length of stay within the regional centres, which highlights the ongoing need for paediatric care services, close to where patients live. Providing virtual, real-time expert paediatric advice, the CHARLiE service is a crucial resource for the rural providers who care for these patients.

The second study abstract concluded that almost half of the children admitted with SARI in northern community hospitals required a significant level of respiratory support, but only 5% required transfer to a PICU for intensive care. Rural and regional centres provide a critical role in caring for paediatric patients. More research is needed to help advocate for this patient population and the healthcare providers caring for them.